§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were granted parole in 1984 and 1985 who qualified for consideration at that point only because of the reduction in the qualifying period from 12 to six months; and what percentage this was of the total number of prisoners paroled in each of these years.
§ Mr. MellorIt is estimated that about 7,900, or 66 per cent. of the 11,886 who were granted parole in 1984 had qualified for earlier consideration because of the reduction in the qualifying period from 12 to six months. The corresponding figures for 1985 were about 9,500, 66 per cent. and 14,395.